Draftees/Rookies

[HWessinmouse]

So, at the half-way point, how're everyone's free agents and draftees doing?

[aholbert]

I posted this a few weeks ago but here is my draft review:

.25- Scottie Smith- Started all 4 games at SE. Tied w/ D. Velasquez of SF for the rookie lead in catches with 15. Thought he would be a better punt returner but he has struggled with that.

2.17- Jeff Cushenbery- Now Gainesville's starting MLB. Had the biggest game of the season against SF with 6 tackles, 1 sack and 2 ints. Better than I thought he would be when i drafted him.

3.16- Renaldo Metz- Yet to play a game for the Gaels. Listed as inactive for all 4 games but has one pick in the preseason.

4.3- Ed Austin- Starting CB for all 4 games. Solid start for him even though he is a rookie and gets thrown at constantly. Suprising that he has performed better than Metz.

4.15- Tim Legan- Second leading rusher for the Gaels. Great game against SF. He is primarily a passing down and 3rd down back but could be starting by year end.

5.18- BJ Middleton- Inactive the entire year. Looked good as WR during preseason.

6-17- Graham Ballard- 3rd string QB. Solid preseason

7.16- Ricardo Cadrez- Inactive the entire year

[aholbert]

Here is N. Liberty's from Elprez:

For NL,

1.1 #1 overall pick, Myron Allen is having a tough year so far. Passing for only 53% and 2 TD's with 7 interceptions, I can only hope these are freshman jitters. On the flipside, I've seen him put together some incredible drives but unfortunately, we haven't capitalized in the redzone yet.

2.2 (T), Bennie Saul, Bennie is getting manhandled by the vets. He has already allowed 6 six sacks. He's not progressing as quickly as I had hoped, seems he's actually regressed a bit. I'm hoping he picks it up a bit as the season gets into full swing.

2.3(WR), Lincoln Maltman: I see great things for this little guy. He seems to be getting better every game and it looks like my scout was dead on for Lincoln to be a solid producer in our offense.

3.1(DE-->DT) Patrick Beecher: Patrick is a bench warmer at this point. He showed promise during the preseason, but our depth and production from the starters at the DT position hasn't given him a fair opportunity.

3.3(TE) Bill Ogbogu: CUT in preseason. A lost pick because of the draft utility.

4.2(WR) Don Faulkenbury: Only in on 5 wide sets although if Kelly drops balls again like he did in last week's loss he may see some more PT.

6.2(DT) Allan Woodson: Was the backup at RDT until a strained hammy has put him on the bench. The worst thing about it is his replacement played very well last week.

7.1 (G) Casey Robbins: unsigned.

[WelshWizard]

For Waco, Free Agency was very quite and only one of the 3 Free Agents brought in is worth talking about and that would be:

LCB Britt Branch is our Nickel Corner and has had a solid season with 40 tackles and 14 assists.

As far as our draft goes well here is a look at how they are progressing:

1.17 MLB Jimmie Mayes - Is our starting Middle Linebacker and has been since opening day, many were surprised at the spot he was taken at but we stand by our choice as this was our biggest need. He has done a good job and gets better with every game. Here are his stats: 34 tackles, 9 assists and 1 hurry

2.16 WLB Deion McElroy - Linebacker was our theme in the first two rounds and this was another big need filled. He has not started in every game but has come in and done a good job when needed. I project he will be the starter the remainder of the season.

3 starts, 10 tackles, 3 assists.

3.15 RCB Wally Stevens - Has started in all seven games and has done a very good job, very pleased with his play at corner and also at returning kickoffs.

7 starts, 28 tackles, 6 assists and 2 interceptions - 5 kick returns, 119 return yards with a 23.8 average.

4.18 SE J.J. Collins - Expected more from him even as a fourth rounder, we were very high on him and thought with a weak receiving corps that he would have better stats than he has. A lot of it is definately that we are a run offense and expect him to break out at some point.

8 catches, 85 yards and 0 tds.

5.17 QB Ethan Mayes - No starts and has seen no action but with Lessem aging he will have every opportunity to challenge for the starting spot next season.

6.16 LG Bryce Mugica - Has been inactive all season.

7.15 LDE Clifton Silvis - Very pleased with his production, thrown in there due to an injury to Rayburn and he has started in the last 4 games and has played very well. What more can you ask for a 7th round pick.

4 starts, 12 tackles, 3 assists, 1 sack, 1 block, 2 hurries.

All in quite happy with what we are seeing from these guys, nothing spectacular but plenty of good production from them which bodes well for the future.

[Guest]

1st round draft pick OG Browning ended his holdout and signed the same contract he initially turned down prior to training camp. . .damn dumbass. . .now he's behind the eight ball but will have to play his way into shape. . .so the verdict is still out on him. . .

5th round pick Walter "Okie" Okunevich has done well. . .he's catching 60 % of his passes and has yet to drop one. Two td's on the season and has a 12 ypc average.

2nd round pick LG Terrel Bryant has done well on the o-line. He has 5 key run blocks out of 14 opportunities to lead the team with a .35 krb percentage.

Other than that, everyone else has been . . .on the sidelines! 8)

[aholbert]

1st round draft pick OG Browning ended his holdout and signed the same contract he initially turned down prior to training camp. . .damn dumbass. . .now he's behind the eight ball but will have to play his way into shape. . .so the verdict is still out on him. . .

5th round pick Walter "Okie" Okunevich has done well. . .he's catching 60 % of his passes and has yet to drop one. Two td's on the season and has a 12 ypc average.

2nd round pick LG Terrel Bryant has done well on the o-line. He has 5 key run blocks out of 14 opportunities to lead the team with a .35 krb percentage.

Other than that, everyone else has been . . .on the sidelines! 8)

Its funny u mentioned Browning. I was suprised to see he was still holding out about 2 weeks ago. I thought everyone signed their first rounders before the season started.

[Guest]

1st round draft pick OG Browning ended his holdout and signed the same contract he initially turned down prior to training camp. . .damn dumbass. . .now he's behind the eight ball but will have to play his way into shape. . .so the verdict is still out on him. . .

5th round pick Walter "Okie" Okunevich has done well. . .he's catching 60 % of his passes and has yet to drop one. Two td's on the season and has a 12 ypc average.

2nd round pick LG Terrel Bryant has done well on the o-line. He has 5 key run blocks out of 14 opportunities to lead the team with a .35 krb percentage.

Other than that, everyone else has been . . .on the sidelines! 8)

Its funny u mentioned Browning. I was suprised to see he was still holding out about 2 weeks ago. I thought everyone signed their first rounders before the season started.

Well, since he rebuffed me on four straight offers and he declared he was holding out, I thought to hell with him. Our lone Red Flag o-lineman has had a career ending injury, so I thought I'd try Browning again. Top offer he rejected right after training camp, and he signed. I wonder if the Red Flag Center Brooks had anything to do with his holdout?

[HWessinmouse]

Interesting...hmmmm.

[liquidcrash]

I totally missed this thread last week, so I'll post mine now.

1.2 QB Jamie Scoggins- Only started the past 2 games, but has looked pretty good. Completed 43 of 63 passes (68.3%), with 1 TD and 1 INT. Passer rating in his 2 games is 80.6, and has only taken 2 sacks. Compared to the QB play I've gotten, he's been great.

1.6 CB Donnell Burke- Has started all 9 games for us, and has been the best CB on the roster. Has picked off 2 passes with another 6 defensed, along with 27 tackles and 10 assists. I'm happy with his play so far.

3.2 WR Steve Stargell- Has played all 9 games, but has only had 20 passes thrown his way. Has 8 catches for 95 yards and 1 TD. Our atrocious QB play certainly hasn't helped him.

4.1 FS Dwayne Kemp- Played sparingly as a backup safety in every game, has made 7 tackles. His ratings are still very good however, and I like his potential. With our SS hurt, he started in that position last week, but wasn't too impressive.

5.2 G Benjamin Rollo- Backup guard, seen little playing time. Still think he could eventually start.

6.1 ILB Rodney Clayton- Special teams player. 11 tackles and a fumble recovery. I'd like to see him get more playing time, but Donovan Bauer has been very good at MLB this year, so he'll be a backup for the foreseeable future

7.2 DT Jose Owens- Played in only 4 games, backup DT.

Not so good I guess, but I still think a few of these guys will be impact players.

As for FA's, QB Ellis Austin was terrible as our starting QB. Completed just 49% of his passes, with 6 TDs to 7 INTs, passer rating of 57.4. Forced Scoggins into action earlier than I would have liked.

[Pat]

1.18 DT Burt Sanders - 16 tackles, 15 assists, 3 sacks, 4 hurries.

SS Julio Smolka - Acquired via trade on draft day. 15 tackles, 8 assists, 1 interception, 2 pass defenses, playing mostly on nickel/dime. Also the lead gunner on ST, has 10 tackles, FF, and FR.

4.5 WR Oliver Carter - 6 catches, 108 yards. 17 punt returns, 100 yards.

4.11 QB Ty Poston - Has yet to play, but might be given a shot here soon.

5.3 OG Bubba Burke - Played in all nine games, started three. Probably the starter the rest of the way.

5.10 DE Gabe Hopper - 3 tackles, 1 assist.

5.25 FB Donald Wheeler - Hardly played.

7.23 K Chris Frenzel - Inactive.

[Delandis]

Thanks. Just a few updates. Myron has started to really come into his own over the last couple of weeks. Raising his completion % to over 58% and throwing just 3 int in the last 5 games. I'm feeling very good about him because he's starting to pull it down and run instead of forcing what isn't there(well I guess that could be a bad thing too).

[kingfc22]

1.28 QB Graham Pearson - complete BUST, amongst the FA pool

2.31 RG Phillip Clinton - 1 GS and was hurt for a few weeks. Probably will start next season.

3.26 RB Jose Kappers - 89 att, 429 yds, 1 TD (May start soon)

3.31 SS Brant Matthews - 13 tackles, 1 sack (Been a solid backup to Metz and Robinson)

4.17 SE Fred Noyeaux - 11 Rec, 141 yds, 1 TD (He's played well as a #4 WR and has shown good hands)

5.16 LT Mitchell Thornton - The steal of the draft for us. Mainly playing off the bench, but should be a starter at LT for the future.

5.31 ILB Frankie Han - 3 tackles in limited time behind Meyers.

6.31 CB Kelvin Morley - didn't make roster, has signed with Chicago

7.31 DE Roosevelt Clinton - has seen little action in reserve role behind Peterson

[HWessinmouse]

2007 OSFL DRAFT SELECTIONS
Kenny Atkins RDT 26/49 - 2nd Round, 2007, pick 1: A disappointing draft pick, made better by the addition of UFA Hugh Alston at RDT. These two football neophytes combine to make one very good DT, with Atkins taking the lions share of pass rushing duties, leaving Alston to stuff the run. One of these two will become the successor to Mo Gentile on next seasons starting line-up. Atkins has started twice and appeared every game this season with a stat line including 6 tackles, 8 assists and 1 fumble recovery.

Corwin Dilday FS 26/44 - 3rd Round, 2007, pick 4: Dilday has been splitting time with 2nd year FS Bryant O'Neal (22/46) as understudy to 8 year veteran FS Earl Beal (68/68). More likely than not, which ever back-up sees the least improvement after next years Training Camp will be saying goodbye to the Monster.

Bart McWilliams RG 25/42 - 5th Round, 2007, pick 7: McWillaims may prove to be a bit of a steal, as he's played beyond his numbers so far this season. 4 KRB in 6 KRO and a special teams tackle have earned him his first start next week, replacing Ernest Booker (61/61) who moves to LG after team leader Trevor Fragomeni (83/83) went down early in last weeks win in Denver.

O.J. Rodriguez LT 12/25 - 7th Round, 2007, pick 5: Rodriguez is here to give Ethan Baxter (57/57) a breather when needed. He also makes a nice salsa dip and has been known to cry at sad movies.

2007 UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS
Aaron Newhart LCB 20/38 - Undrafterd Free Agent: Newhart was invited to camp and made the roster to add depth to the secondary. Playing behind 5 year veteran Rusty Abrams (56/56), Newhart sees mostly garbage time and special teams play.

Vinny Cox WLB 16/43 - Undrafted Free Agent: Vinny Cox has been a special teams stand-out and looks to be the eventual replacement to incumbent WLB Zach Woods (42/42). In part time play over nine games, Cox has 6 tackles and 3 assists. Covering kick-offs, Vinny has notched 16 tackes and forced two fumbles.

C.J. Hoover SLB 20/41 - Undrafted Free Agent: With 7 tackles and 3 assists spelling starter Ben Jones (53/53), Hoover has earned his spot on the roster. That spot is behind Jones on the depth chart for the duration of his stay in Los Alamos.

Hugh Alston RDT 24/44 - Undrafted Free Agent: Alston caught the eye of the Monsters scouts by showing flashes of being/becoming a dominant run stopper. He's even started 3 of the 8 games he's been in, scoring 7 tackles and 3 assists as well as 3 sacks and a blocked pass. Alston and fellow Rookie Kenny Atkins have been splitting time spelling 4th year starter Mo Gentile (31/31), who is currently less than 100% with a hyperextended elbow. Look for youth to be served next season as a new starter will be named at RDT.

Kendrick Oliver LDE 23/40 - Undrafted Free Agent:Oliver was moved to the left side of the defensive line right before the start of the regular seasons and has been asked to grow up quickly since Grant Franklin is out for the season serving a suspension for off the field activities. Oliver has not yet started a game but has 4 tackles, 3 assists, 1 sack and 1 blocked pass along with 1 forced fumble.

Bill Qaderi RT 21/37 - Undrafted Free Agent: Qaderi was brought to Los Alamos to add some much needed depth to the offensive line. He's currently disgruntled at the lack of opportunity and playing time with the Monsters, but I don't recall him complaining when we handed him his signing bonus or $350k salary. Qaderi will most likely be looking to become more 'gruntled elsewhere next year.

Nate Cormier TE 24/42 - Undrafted Free Agent: Cormier is a blocking TE who has proven himself to be a much better pass catcher than originally thought. Originally invited to camp to compete for the third TE spot, Cormier is fast becoming the heir apparent to Will Lowery (56/56). As a part-time player, Cormier has snagged 9 of 10 passes for 74 yards, is 100% in Red-Zone receptions and 100% on 3rd downs.

Ty Shaw FB 20/36 - Undrafted Free Agent: Shaw comes to the Monsters to help fill the massive void left in the wake of departing (retired) FB Tyoka Small. Shaw is behind 2nd year FB Dominic Caballero (28/41) on the depth chart and looks to stay there for now.

Barry Cervantes QB 9/41 - Undrafted Free Agent: Cervantes is an outstanding kick holder. He also looks quite jaunty in a baseball cap.

[Guest]

Great stuff MOUSE!

[aholbert]

1.28 QB Graham Pearson - complete BUST, amongst the FA pool

2.31 RG Phillip Clinton - 1 GS and was hurt for a few weeks. Probably will start next season.

3.26 RB Jose Kappers - 89 att, 429 yds, 1 TD (May start soon)

3.31 SS Brant Matthews - 13 tackles, 1 sack (Been a solid backup to Metz and Robinson)

4.17 SE Fred Noyeaux - 11 Rec, 141 yds, 1 TD (He's played well as a #4 WR and has shown good hands)

5.16 LT Mitchell Thornton - The steal of the draft for us. Mainly playing off the bench, but should be a starter at LT for the future.

5.31 ILB Frankie Han - 3 tackles in limited time behind Meyers.

6.31 CB Kelvin Morley - didn't make roster, has signed with Chicago

7.31 DE Roosevelt Clinton - has seen little action in reserve role behind Peterson

King,

Was the Pearson pick an accident or did you scout him and want him on your team? Also, what did ur scout say about Pearson.